Research Blog : houseplants, holidayshttp://evpl.org/community/blogs/research/archive/tags/houseplants/holidays/default.aspxTags: houseplants, holidaysenCommunityServer 2008 SP1 (Build: 30619.63)Links for the holidayshttp://evpl.org/community/blogs/research/archive/2009/12/04/links-for-the-holidays.aspxFri, 04 Dec 2009 21:47:00 GMT9a7b961d-7882-4302-b701-732ca0e566f2:1970googler@evpl1http://evpl.org/community/blogs/research/rsscomments.aspx?PostID=1970http://evpl.org/community/blogs/research/archive/2009/12/04/links-for-the-holidays.aspx#comments<p><img width="253" src="http://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq316/evplreference/snowman.jpg" height="256" style="float:left;margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;margin-left:10px;margin-right:10px;" alt="" />I&#39;ve come across a whole bunch of links appropriate to the season. </p>
<p>The Federal Trade Commission has all the info you need about <a href="http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt010.shtm">gift cards</a>, with tips on what to ask when you buy them, and contacts for problems.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/">Responsible Shopper</a> wants to promote a responsible economy, and believes consumer education is a good way to do that. Their&nbsp;database allows you to &quot;search hundreds of company profiles by name or by industry and quickly compare the corporate responsibility records of companies.&quot; </p>
<p>Don&#39;t let Santa come down a dirty or dangerous chimney. <a href="http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G1735">This site</a> tells you how to make your fireplace and chimney safer by proper cleaning and maintenance.</p>
<p>Your Christmas cactus and poinsettias, and other common seasonal houseplants, all have differing needs for water, light, etc. Read <a href="http://www.nybg.org/hgc_online/fact_sheets_detail.php?id_fact_sheet=5">this site</a> to keep them happy&nbsp;so they&#39;ll keep your home festive.</p>
<p>Need some holiday trivia, fast facts, statistics? The US Census Bureau features <a href="http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/014405.html">the holiday season</a> this month with facts and figures from its data collection. </p>
<p>DailyLit is a website that supplies free digital&nbsp;books via email or RSS, which&nbsp;might be&nbsp;a fun way to re-read <a href="http://www.dailylit.com/books/christmas-carol">A Christmas Carol</a>. Subscribe using the box at the right of the screen.</p>
<p>Looking for fun&nbsp;family activities? <a href="http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/christmas/christmas-crafts.html">This site</a>&nbsp;has tons of&nbsp;Christmas craft ideas with great instructions, difficulty ratings, and age recommendations. (My favorite is&nbsp;a Santa&nbsp;made out of a potato chip tube that they probably would have called &quot;Chris Pringle&quot; if it weren&#39;t for the trademark.)</p>
<p>Last, prepare for New Year&#39;s Eve by reading the <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/drinking/wine/champagneintro">champagne primer</a>. Epicurious.com explains the varieties of sparkling wines, how to read labels, how to store, how to serve, and much more.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://evpl.org/community/aggbug.aspx?PostID=1970" width="1" height="1">shoppingchristmascraftschimneyholidayschampagnehouseplantsgiftswinter